Synopses & Reviews
After the accession of Elizabeth I in 1558, Protestant England was beset by the hostile Catholic powers of Europe, including Spain. In October 1585, King Philip II of Spain declared his intention to destroy Protestant England and began preparing invasion plans, leading to an intense intelligence war between the two countries and culminating in the dramatic sea battles of 1588.
Popular history dictates that the defeat of the Spanish Armada was a David versus Goliath victory, snatched by plucky and outnumbered English forces. In this tightly written and fascinating new history, Robert Hutchinson explodes this myth, revealing the true destroyers of the Spanish Armada—inclement weather and bad luck. Of the 125 Spanish ships that set sail against England, only 60 limped home, the rest wrecked or sank with barely a shot fired from their main armament.
In this dramatic hour-by-hour, blow-by-blow account of the Spanish Armadas attempt to destroy Elizabeths England, Hutchinson spins a compelling and unbelievable narrative. Using everything from contemporary eyewitness accounts to papers held by the national archives in Spain and the United Kingdom, Robert Hutchinson re-creates one of historys most famous episodes in an entirely new way.
Review
“Contemporary readers will certainly enjoy this outstanding contribution… Tudor historian Hutchinson (Young Henry: The Rise of Henry VIII, 2012, etc.) excels in his descriptions of the flow of information…Readers know how the battle turned out, but they will relish Hutchinsons intensely detailed account… Those with fond memories of Garrett Mattinglys classic The Armada (1959) will discover an equally enthralling successor.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“In this engaging volume, archeologist and historian Hutchinson (Young Henry) sets out to overturn one of the cherished legends taught in British primary schools…Hutchinson lays out ample evidence that the Spanish ships sank more from happenstance than heroism. ” —Publishers Weekly
“[Hutchinsons] attention to battle at sea, sixteenth-century style, induces wonder at how Phillip and his high command thought they could succeed…Culminating with the Armadas ghastly shipwrecks in Ireland, Hutchinsons day-by-day story of the Armada is a fine production for maritime history buffs.”—Booklist
“The author does a magnificent job of describing the military campaign. . . . He also argues convincingly that, in terms of intelligence . . . this was a truly modern war.” —Good Book Guide (UK)
“The victory of the English navy over the Spanish Armada in 1588 is one of those defining moments . . . of British pluck and determination. . . . Well no, not really, says historian Robert Hutchinson in his revelatory new book.” —Choice (UK)
“In a book which successfully weaves together the different elements of the dramatic story, Robert Hutchinson, making use of fresh research (not least his own), sets out to consider the background and the events themselves.” —The Tablet (UK)
Praise for Young Henry
“Anyone who sees history as boring should be given Robert Hutchinsons book posthaste. Without sacrificing facts and research, he has the ability to construct an absolutely compelling narrative. . . . He is one of the few authors who keep you up till 3 a.m.” —The Bookseller
“Pulling quotations from the archives that convey Henrys pious yet imperious personality, Hutchinson ably meets history fans unflagging fascination with Henry VIII.” —Booklist
“Hutchinson is admirable at pulling out amusing tidbits from the primary sources he obviously plumbed to write this breezy account. . . . often enlivened by Hutchinsons irreverent commentary.” —Publishers Weekly
“Anyone with a passing interest in Tudor history will catch up quickly and delight in a detailed profile of one of Englands most famous—and infamous—monarchs.” —Shelf Awareness
About the Author
With a doctorate in archaeology, ROBERT HUTCHINSON has spent his career as a journalist and publishing director before becoming a critically-acclaimed Tudor historian whose books have been translated into nine languages. He lives in England.
Table of Contents
1 The Enemy Within2 Rumours of War3 Ramparts of Earth and Manure4 The Great and Most Fortunate Navy5 First Sighting6 Action This Day7 Firestorm8 Fleeing for Home9 Shipwrecked upon an Alien Shore10 'God Be Praised for all His Works'11 The English Armada